{"id":199,"date":"2013-09-17T08:20:04","date_gmt":"2013-09-17T08:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jsndev.net\/?p=199"},"modified":"2013-09-17T08:20:04","modified_gmt":"2013-09-17T08:20:04","slug":"custom-gaming-pc-build-with-apple-thunderbolt-display-and-discrete-gpu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2022.jasonrikard.com\/?p=199","title":{"rendered":"Custom Gaming PC With Apple Thunderbolt Display and Discrete GPU"},"content":{"rendered":"

I recently set out to see if I could build a gaming PC with a discrete graphics card that works with the 27″ Apple Thunderbolt Display<\/a>. \u00a0I wanted to know if it were possible and if it would run the recent relaunch of FFXIV<\/a>. \u00a0During my research phase, I came across many forums where people would ask if this was possible to do with a pc with a Thunderbolt port. \u00a0Many people said no and would point out the politics of Thunderbolt, the lack of official drivers or confusion over sharing a connector with the Mini DisplayPort. \u00a0As it turns out, you can definitely use your Apple Thunderbolt Display with a dedicated GPU with some virtualization magic.<\/p>\n

Backstory<\/h2>\n

First, a little back story. \u00a0I’ve been genuinely curious about combining an Apple Thunderbolt Display with PC components for some time given that thunderbolt effectively encapsulates PCIe and DisplayPort. It began a few years ago with the prospects of having an external GPU to power my Macbook Air coupled with the Thunderbolt Display to produce a portable and optionally powerful system.\u00a0From the Thunderbolt Wikipedia page<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Thunderbolt combines\u00a0PCI Express<\/a>\u00a0(PCIe) and\u00a0DisplayPort<\/a>\u00a0(DP) into one\u00a0serial<\/a>\u00a0signal alongside a\u00a0DC connection<\/a>\u00a0for electric power, transmitted over one cable. Up to six peripherals may be supported by one connector through various topologies.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Imagine you were able to have a plug and play GTX 790 for your MacBook. \u00a0You could leave the external enclosure connected to your display and have an automatic performance boost when you get back to your desk using a single Thunderbolt cable connected to your display.\u00a0An even more interesting idea is that Apple should consider including a GPU inside the Thunderbolt display<\/strong> to automatically boost the graphic performance of a MacBook Air or Pro. \u00a0Now that would awesome.<\/p>\n

A few companies have shown prototypes of external GPU products for years but none have released a commercial product. However, recently in mid 2013, an individual produced\u00a0a working setup<\/a>\u00a0to achieve an external GPU setup. \u00a0The steps involved require some moderate hacking, boot process inconveniences, and additional expenses. \u00a0Since I didn’t already own any PC components, I decided rather than attempt this eGPU build with bootcamp, I’d try to put together a complete gaming PC instead to get better overall performance and flexibility.<\/p>\n

Putting It Together<\/h2>\n

Since there are currently no graphics cards with Thunderbolt out, only mini DisplayPort, we need to get the discrete GPU output through the motherboard’s Thunderbolt port. \u00a0The trick to getting this build working is that you can virtualize your GPU and run its output through the Thunderbolt port using a piece of software called Lucid Virtu. \u00a0This software is said to give you additional advantages such higher frame rates, increased Vsync caps and less screen tearing but I haven’t set up a benchmark to test. \u00a0You’ll need this software to access your discrete GPU from the motherboard.<\/p>\n

The steps to get this working are surprisingly easy as long as you follow a few guidelines.\u00a0 First, you’ll need a motherboard that has a Thunderbolt port and has support for Lucid Virtu MVP. \u00a0The prices on these vary from $200-$500 and stocks seem kinda low. \u00a0To run Lucid Virtu MVP, you’ll need a CPU with integrated graphics such as the Intel 4000. \u00a0This is because you’ll need a way to have video out from the motherboard to configure your system since you will not be plugging the Thunderbolt Display into the GPU. Make sure you pay attention to this when choosing a processor or you will not be able to configure Virtu MVP.<\/p>\n

After selecting your parts, assemble the computer as you normally would. \u00a0I initially used a monitor with HDMI plugged into the GPU during setup to ensure everything was running as expected. You may be able to get this setup initially with the Thunderbolt Display if you configure the video output device in the BIOs to use the on board video. I didn’t try the Thunderbolt Display until all motherboard and Intel drivers were installed since I had a monitor connected to the GPU through HDMI.<\/p>\n

The disk that comes with the motherboard was my best bet to get going with the drivers and software. \u00a0Once everything was operating as expected, I rebooted, went to the BIOs, set the default output device to the motherboard instead of PCIe, plugged in Thunderbolt Display and booted. Upon boot, I had audio in\/out and video with no effort. \u00a0I think one of the keys to success is make sure you have your Intel graphics drivers and Virtu MVP up to date. \u00a0I found\u00a0<\/span>this Gigabyte manual<\/a>\u00a0useful in knowing how to get the system configured. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Parts (~$900)<\/h2>\n